Neck-yoke



(NoModL) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. GOLTON.

50K YOKE. No. 254,925. Patented Mar.14,1882. 1

W Attorneys N P nphar 25ml! on D C I (N0 Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W. L. OOLTON.

"NECK YOKE. I No. 254,925. Patented Mar. 14,1882.

WITNESSES UNITED STATES WILLIAM L. UOLTON, on WATERMAN, ILLINOIS.

PATENT "OFFICE.

NECK-YOKE.

I SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 254,925, dated March 14, 1882.

Application filed January 14,. 188 2. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthatI, W. L. OoL'roN, of Waterman, township of Clinton, in the county of De Kalb and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Neck- Yokes; and I do hereby declare that the followingisafulhclear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, which form a part t this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of ayoke-bar provided with my improved center-piece and adjustable breast or collar straps. Fig. 2 is a perspective detail view of the center-piece. Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the adjustable breast-straps with its collar-clasp and yokeferrule. Fig. at is a cross-section of the same through line as :r. Fig. 5 is a similar View through line 313 and Fig.6 is a section through the collar-clasp, showing its hinge and spring fastening.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

My invention has relation to the neck-yokes of buggies and other vehicles; and it consists in the construction and combination, with the yoke-bar, of an improved swiveled center-piece, and also in the construction and arrangement of parts of adjustable straps or bars for (3011- necting the collars to the yoke, which said straps are provided with spring-clasps for-their attachment to the collars, substantiallyin the manner and for the purpose hereinafter more fully set forth.

In thetwosheetsot'drawings hereto annexed, A represents the yoke-bar, into the middle of which, on the under side, areinserted two eyebolts, B B.

Upon a pin or bolt, 0, inserted through the e es B B is hinged a swivel-head, D, in which is swiveled the beveled ring or sleeve D for the attachment of the yoke-bar to the end of the pole or tongue. The inside of sleeve D should be lined with leather or rubber to prevent wear or abrasion of the tongue, which is inserted through it.

To compensate for the weakening of the middle part of the yoke-bar A by the insertion of the eyebolts B B, I employ a housing or strengthening plate, A, of malleable iron,-

which is secured over the middle of the yokebar by the ends ofthe eyeboltsinserted through threaded holes in the plate.

At each end of the yoke-bar is secured an ornamental,thimble, E, made with a pair of ears, 0 e, in which is hinged upon the pin or boltfa grooved and slotted bar, F, cast of malleable iron, and connected in the manner hereinafter described to the extensible grooved and slotted arm G, in the outer end of which the spring-clasp H is hinged. Both ends of arms F are solid, with a slot, g, extending lon' gitudinally between the solid ends. On the upper side it has a channel or recess, h, which also extends between the two solid ends down to the slot 9, forming a shoulder, 11., on each side of latter. Arm or bar Gris constructed in precisely the same manner, with a recess, 1', and slot 70, forming a shoulder, k, extending longitudinally between its two solid ends; but the side flanges, l I, thus formed have a series of notches, m, arranged opposite to and equidistant from one another. These notches receive and interlock with bails orloops I I, which are hinged on the sides of barF in such a manner that when the said bails are raised in a position at right angles to bar F, on which they are affixed, they will become disengaged from the notches m.

Through one of the solid ends or heads of bar F is inserted a screw, F, the head of which projects into the slotted recess iof bar G. This screw is provided with a washer, n, and a spring, 0, placed between the washer and the head of the screw, which presses the washer down against shoulders 70 on opposite sides of slot /c.

'The solid end of bar Gis provided with asimilar screw, G, having a washer, n, and spring 0, operating to press its washer down against shoulders h of slot g in bar F. The degree of friction of washers n and n may be regulated by adjusting-screws F and G.

The clamp or clasp H, which is hinged in the outer end of arm G, consists ottwo parts, hinged or pivoted together at 19. One of these parts, H, is provided with a springJatch, K, which interlocks or engages with a catch, L, in the opposite hinged part, H, and has a thumb-piece, K, by pressing against which the latch is readily disengaged from its catch.

The inside of the clasp is rounded 0r beveled toward its edges'to prevent chafing of the base. of the collar, which is inserted through it, and, if desired, it may be lined with leather, buckskin, or similar material.

It will be observed that the stay F G, which connects the collar by its clasp H to theyokebar, may be shortened or lengthened at will and in a moment of time, without any unbuckling or loosening of straps, in asimple and expeditious manner. To attach itto or disengage it from the collar is also the work of a moment only; The swiveled center-piece permits of the play of the yoke-bar upon the pole, so as to avoid all undue strain on the team, and by plating or suitably ornamenting the centerpiece, extensible stay, and clasp a very handsome and ornamental effect may be produced.

Having thus described myinvention, I claim '20 and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States 1. The combination of the yoke-bar A, having swiveled center pieces D D and end thimbles, E, hinged extensible stays F G, constructed as described, and hinged spring-clasps H, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and set forth.

2. In a neck-yoke for harness, the extensible stay consisting of the recessed and slotted arm or bar F, having screw F and adjustable spring-washer n, recessed slotted arm or bar G,havingserew G,adjustablespring-washern, and notched side flanges, H, and hinged loogs or bails I I, the whole constructed and combined to operate substantially in the manner and for the pnrposeherein shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own 1 have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM LUTHER COLTON. Witnesses:

HER-SCHEL A. SoHnRMERHoRN, EDWIN F. YOUNGGREN. 

